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WCSU SAAC

WestConn's Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) is a student led group comprised of representatives from each of its varsity athletic teams.

SAAC meetings are held on a regular basis throughout the academic year. The purpose of the meetings include, but are not limited to: discussing questions and concerns raised by student athletes, discussing policies and procedures that impact student athletes, and planning community based programs.

Participation in SAAC provides an opportunity for personal growth and development. At the same time, it also provides an opportunity for individuals to have an active role in the administration and evaluation of the intercollegiate athletic department. As a direct link between the athletic staff and the nearly 325 student athletes on campus, SAAC affords students the opportunity to engage in open communication with members of the athletic and university staff in an effort to maximize their experiences as a student and athlete.

The goals of the group include:

To improve the overall athletic experience for all student athletes.

To enhance the image of the intercollegiate athletic department among members of the campus and local communities.

To serve as the liaison between all student athletes and the athletic department.

To develop and conduct community service activities.

History of the NCAA Student-Athlete Advisory Committee

An Association-wide SAAC was adopted at the 1989 NCAA Convention and was formed primarily to review and offer student-athlete input on NCAA activities and proposed legislation that affected student-athlete welfare.

The initial national committee was comprised of student-athletes from all membership divisions for the purpose of ensuring that the student-athlete voice was one that accounted for the myriad of educational and athletics experiences of both female and male student-athletes at all NCAA member institutions. In August 1997, the NCAA federated along divisional lines. The federation caused the SAAC to expand to three SAACs representing NCAA Divisions I, II and III.

Each national divisional committee is comprised of both female and male student-athletes charged with the responsibility of assisting in the review of NCAA proposed legislation and representing the voice of the student-athlete in the NCAA governance structure. This is accomplished by providing student-athlete input on issues related to student-athlete welfare that are division-specific. (Federation has increased student-athlete participation in the governance process of intercollegiate athletics by increasing the number of SAAC members from the former Association-wide committee of 28 student-athletes to a sum total of 79 members serving on the national Divisions I, II, and III committees).

The input of the respective Divisions I, II and III SAACs continues to be sought by a variety of constituencies within the Association. Student-athlete committee members have the opportunity to speak with their respective NCAA Management Councils, and the Divisions II and III SAACs continue to speak to legislative issues on the NCAA Convention floor.

National SAACs (Divisions I, II and III) at a glance:

Generate a student-athlete voice within the NCAA structure.

Solicit student-athlete response to proposed NCAA legislation.

Recommend potential NCAA legislation.

Review, react and comment to the governance structure on legislation, activities and subjects of interest.

Actively participate in the administrative process of athletics programs and the NCAA.